Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The ambassador put it very well. It is a matter of making sure that Moldova survives. For the want of a better term we have had a perfect storm. As regards Russia we talked about energy resilience but this is an energy crisis meeting a geopolitical crisis and climate change. I am sorry to use the term South Ossetia in respect of Georgia. My point is that we wonder why Russia cares about this little strip of land, but it is about the sphere of influence. If we look at the history of hybrid attacks in Estonia or even certain other things that have happened throughout Europe, it is the realisation that it is not only a smaller world but also a more dangerous one. We have all said previously that when we are looking at Mariupol we could be looking at pictures from the Second World War. It could be Dresden. It is as simple as that.

On accession, we could see at the Conference on the Future of Europe that some of the language was very protective. Some of that might relate to the likes of Hungary and fear, with the European Union saying it needs protection, particularly in respect of the rule of law. Some of the earlier language was almost to the effect that Europe needed to get its house in order and be unified before it would facilitate further accession. People saw that this was dreadful language, and that whatever about the western Balkans, it was particularly dreadful in respect of Moldova and Ukraine, and even Georgia and other states that are looking for this at present. I accept that the Copenhagen criteria are what they are and there probably needs to be a greater level of engagement. However, not only the language but probably the politics of that is moving on. We should obviously play a part in that regard. It is going to be a long and difficult journey. Moldova needs to be facilitated but first and foremost it needs to be able to survive. It is absolutely necessary that we play whatever small part we can in furthering those arguments. I commend Romania, Moldova and the other neighbour states that are doing a huge amount of heavy lifting. We need to look at ourselves and where we are falling down.